Deputy Prime Minister visit

During a visit to Oxfordshire on Tuesday 19^th April, Nick Clegg MP, Deputy Prime Minister, toured Diamond, the UK’s national synchrotron science facility.

On the tour of the synchrotron, Diamond scientists and engineers explained how the machine generates the intense light required to carry out experiments in a wide range of fields.  Among them, health research into disease and drug development, engineering studies to reduce stress in aero engines and the creation of new super-strong material using fibres of carbon nanotubes.

The group also met early career engineering apprentices who are on a Diamond/Science and Technology Facilities Council apprenticeship scheme.  Lauren Summers (pictured left), Electronic engineering apprentice, comments, “I really enjoyed meeting Nick Clegg, who was very interested in my role here at Diamond.  He was clearly impressed by the facility, which is understandable as the building and the experimental capabilities are just brilliant.”

Pictured, from left to right, Gerd Materlik, Gwyndaf Evans and Nick Clegg, inside the I24 beamline

Over 2000 researchers use Diamond to conduct experiments in a wide range of disciplines including health and medicine, structural biology, energy, engineering, earth & environmental sciences, solid-state physics, materials & magnetism, nanoscience, electronics, chemistry and cultural heritage. Many of the experiments involve collaboration with other facilities at RAL including ISIS, the Central Laser Facility and the new Research Complex at Harwell.